Introduction

Background of study
The Straits of Malacca is a street of water at The Peninsular Malaysia which
located between the east coast of Sumatra Island in Indonesia and the west coast of Peninsular
Malaysia, and is linked with the Straits of Singapore at its South - east end. The Straits of
Malacca also connects the Pacific Ocean to the east with the Indian Ocean to the west. It been
called The Straits of Malacca which been named after the Malacca sultanate that ruled over
between 1400 and 1511.
This 1 220 km long is the longest strait in the world. It is bordered by four
states which is Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia (Kuala Kedah to Johor). This shows
that, Malacca Straits is one of the important and busiest strait. There are more than 200 vessels
passing through the Straits on a daily basis and this gives an annual throughput of approximately
70 000 ships.
The Malacca Straits have long been an essential exchange course which
connecting the Indian Ocean toward the South China Sea. Mostly this ships carrying oil
transported to Northeast Asia as well as one-third of the world's traded goods including Chinese
manufactures, Indonesian coffee. In recent years, the Straits have become a very important trade
route. The Straits that rich in renewable and non-renewable resources will be affected by the
rapid growth which actually give a hazard to the water quality parameter around the straits.
During the past few decades, the coastal regions in the Malacca Straits have been
experiencing rapid changes. The Straits of Malacca is the busiest and most important waterways
in the world. Increasing human activity and utilization of resources such as port development,
land reclamation and construction of marinas and residential areas have led to a need for a
careful evaluation and prediction of the water quality parameter along the straits.
Water quality monitoring is important in many usage. Water quality data were used to
determine the water quality status whether in clean, slightly polluted or polluted category and to
classify the rivers in Class I, II, III, IV or V based on Water Quality Index (WQI) every year.
Water Quality Index (WQI) is computed based on six main parameters which are Biochemical
Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Temperature, Acidic and Alkaline

(pH), Dissolved Oxygen (DO) and Total Suspended Solids (TSS). The main objective determine
the water quality is to predict and analyzed the data and effect changes along the straits.
Malacca Straits is one of the precious country assets. It is very important to take a good
care of the straits. we need to take part so that its benefits can be share to us and be preserve for
future generation.

1.2

Statement of Problem

In recent years, the development along Malacca Straits had contribute to some problems and
effects. Mostly, the rapid population occurs near the coastal area along the Malacca Straits. This
growth population affect the resource exploitation.
Common know that Malacca Straits is one of the busiest strait in Malaysia. The situation that
strategic for business and transportation lead to the fast growing development. This various
activities along the Straits exposed the coastal and marine resources to the environmental
problems like water quality degradation and coastal erosion-sedimentation.
The uprising development and urbanization along the Malacca Straits, it is not surprising that the
level of water quality will be defected. The rivers and lakes around the straits will polluted and
not safe to be use in daily life. Because of that, the analyzed data water quality parameter are
needed to recognize the quality index and some of the invention still can be taking part for
maintain the quality.
In addition, many people do not know the water quality of the Malacca Straits. Information about
the status of the water quality parameter along the straits is very important. Without that
information, we will not appreciate the value of our Malacca Straits.
1.3

Objective

The objectives of this research are :

i.

To describe the composition of water quality along Malacca Straits.

ii.

To determine the water quality using parameter of standard.

iii.

To analyze the historical water quality data that related to Malacca Straits.

iv.

To determine and collect new data for next reference by other party related.

v.

To analyses the maximum and minimum Biodagrable Oxygen Demand along Malacca
Straits.

1.4

Scope of Study

This study will investigate the water quality along of Malacca Straits. Mostly, the method to be
used in data collection is collected historical data from related agencies such Jabatan Alam
Sekitar, Jabtan Pengairan Saliran and other research related. This data will be analyze to
determining the quality of water body using parameters such as Biochemical Oxygen Demand
(BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Acidic and Alkaline (pH), Dissolved Oxygen (DO),
Temperature and Total Suspended Solids (TSS).
Between the research, this study will take sample and rebuild new data by analyzing the water
samples taken from selected river stations.

1.5

Significance of the Study

This research was conducted to determine the water quality along Malacca Straits. The data
collected from the standard parameters will determine the level of water pollution from historical
data the latest data. This collected data could be used as biological indicator and water quality
modelling for determining the standard water quality along Malacca Straits. The results of this
study can help other agencies in continuing finished other research and could be used in reducing
river pollution by increasing public awareness for the community.